Pakistan on Thursday rejected US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta's assertion that its nukes might fall in terrorists' hands, saying that the strategic assets are safe under a strong command and control system. Foreign Office spokesman Moazzan Ahmad Khan while responding to media queries in the weekly press briefing stated in categorical terms that world should not have concerns about safety of Pakistan's nuclear assets as elaborate measures are in place to secure them.
"Let me tell you very clearly that Pakistan's strategic assets are safe and we've a robust command and control in place...so nobody should worry about the safety and security of our nuclear assets. They are in safe hands and all measures have been taken in this regard", he stated in categorical terms. US defence secretary had expressed the fear that there was a danger of Pakistan's nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists if the menace of terrorism is not controlled.
To a question regarding a report which feared that Pakistan is expanding its nuclear arsenal specific to India, the spokesman declined to comment further but stated that Islamabad has a very clear position on the principle of credible minimum deterrence.
Responding another query regarding joint military operation with United States in North Waziristan, he said that no foreign troops will be allowed to conduct operation in Pakistani territory. "This is a question of Pakistan's sovereignty and we had made it very clear from day one that fighting terrorism and extremism on its own territory is Pakistan's responsibility and we are quite capable of handling it on our own", he said.
He pointed out that Islamabad may cooperate in intelligence sharing, but would not allow anybody to violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The spokesman asserted that continued joint efforts with the US on all fronts especially economic, security and political were required and there was a mutual desire on both sides to cooperate in all these areas in a mutually beneficial way.
About cross-border incursions on Pak-Afghan border‚ he said that the attacks from the other side of the border were major issue for Pakistan, and it had raised the matter with the Afghan government and Isaf. He also hoped that appropriate measures will be taken to address the issue. To another question, he rejected reports about meeting of Afghan officials with former Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar who is in Pakistan's custody, saying almost every person has denied the reported meeting.
When asked whether Pakistan is supporting Chinese backed policy or US supported Arab policy on Syria, the spokesman said that Pakistan has taken a principled position on the issue and supported Kofi Annan's six-point formula. "We also strongly feel that Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected", he said, adding that Pakistan was concerned about the deteriorating situation in Syria and it feels that the bloodshed must be stopped immediately. "We feel that only a political solution based on the principles of non-intervention, non-interference and no use of force is a viable option to bring peace. That is why we also supported Kofi Annan's six point formula", he added.
About the suspension of Syria from OIC membership, he said that the suspension was basically OIC's decision, not Pakistan's decision. We have our clear principled stand on it as I have mentioned to you earlier. To a question regarding media reports DG ISI and the Indian RAW chief are expected to meet soon, the spokesman expressed his ignorance saying he has no information about any such meeting.
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